[Effects of acetazolamide (Diamox, Glaupax) on tear production]

In view of personal clinical observations, it appeared possible that a therapy with the carboanhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide leads to a reduction of tear production and induces a dry eye syndrome. Tear secretion was therefore measured by Schirmer tests in a control group of 66 patients after cataract surgery and in a test group of 20 patients who were treated with acetazolamide (Diamox, Glaupax) on the day after the cataract operation. The results were subjected to a statistical analysis with 3-factor anova. The cataract operation induced a significant increase of tear flow. Independent of this effect, administration of the carboanhydrase inhibitor caused a significant decrease of tear production, both in the operated eyes and the untouched fellow eyes.